South Asia

1. South Asia Through the 5 Themes of Geography

2. India Nepal Sri Lanka Pakistan Bhutan Bangladesh Afghanistan Maldives

3. 1) Location

4. SIZE AND ORIGINS • Formed when landmass collided with Asia. • South Asia is about ½ the size of the USA. • South Asia contains 20% of the world’s population.

5. Climate • South Asia has many climate zones, mainly affected by mountains and elevation • Dry in the northwest • Tropical in the north, between the mountain ranges • Dry in the southern interior, wet along the coasts

6. Mountains The Himalayas are the world’s highest mountains, with 20+ peaks above 24,000 ft. Location of Mt. Everest The Hindu Kush mountains have served as a barrier for years. Khyber Passis one of the few ways to pass through them. The Ghats block moisture from reaching the interior, causing the Deccan plateau to be dry.

7. Mount Everest • Highest peak in the world, 29.029ft above sea level. • First officially climbed to the summit in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzig Norgay. • 4% of climbers who attempt Everest do not survive.

8. Rivers 3 Major Rivers • Indus • Ganges • Brahmaputra • All 3 rivers start in the Himalayas • Fed by Glaciers

9. Landforms Created by Rivers • Alluvial plains– soil carried down from mountains and deposited when river overflows banks. • Estuary – partially closed area of seawater with several rivers flowing into it.

10. Islands • Sri Lanka - Lush tropical island • Maldives • Archipelago – group of islands • Atoll – Low lying top of submerged volcano

11. 2) Human-Environment Interaction

12. Importance of Rivers • Fertile Soil for agriculture accounts for 50% of jobs • Transportation of people and goods • Water Supply for 1.2 Billion people in India • Hydroelectric Power • Religion - Ganges is sacred (Hinduism)

13. Natural Resources Forests • Important resource • Deforestation is a concern Minerals • Generate much of Energy • India 4th in Coal • Has enough oil to support ½ its needs • Uranium for Nuclear Power • Iron Ore Deposits – world’s leaders in exporting iron ore • Mica – key in electrical equipment (computers) • Gemstones • Diamonds (India) • Sapphires & Rubies (Sri Lanka)

14. Severe Weather • Monsoons – seasonal winds that bring heavy rainfall to South Asia during the summerand extremely dry weather in the winter • Cyclones – (Hurricanes) can be very destructive to areas heavily populated along the coast. • Storm Surge – rising sea level causes flooding along the coast

15. 3) Movement

16. Demographics • 1.7 billion people, mostly in India. • Birth, death, and infant mortality rates are very high but are gradually improving, because of better education, sanitation, and basic medical care. • Poverty remains a huge problem – India is one of the world’s fastest growing economies, but other countries lag behind.

17. Immigration Large numbers of South Asians immigrate to other regions – educated persons often move to Western countries (especially UK and USA) for technology positions, while uneducated persons usually go to the Middle East to work as laborers.

18. Transportation and Infrastructure Lacking Cross-Border Infrastructure: Due to economic and political reasons, cross-border trade in South Asia accounts for a mere 5% of total trade. Lacking Adequate Access to Basic Social and Economic Services in Rural Areas:Poor access to transport infrastructure and services leaves hundreds of millions of people in South Asian countries without access to basic social and economic services. Alarming Road Safety Problems: India has the highest number of road deaths in the world with over 114,000 road fatalities each year (WRS, 2009). Bangladesh, with relatively low motorization, has the worst fatality rate in the region with 85.6 fatalities per 10,000 vehicles.

19. Bollywood World’s largest film industry located in Mumbai India

20. Outsourcing The offshore outsourcing industry started in India and is the leading country in outsourcing operations.

21. 4) Place

22. Cultures of South Asia Different mixes of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam – often causes tension in the region. Thousands of languages!

23. Political Geography of South Asia 5 Created from British Colonies: • Afghanistan became independent in 1919. • India after WW2 (1947) • Pakistan (1947) • Sri Lanka (1947) • Bangladesh (1971) 2 located deep in the Himalayas, isolated until recent times: • Bhutan • Nepal 1 archipelago in the Indian Ocean: • Maldives

24. Brief History of South Asia Ancient Times – Hinduism and Islam, caste system, several huge empires in region. British Rule – Britain ruled all of South Asia from 1776 to 1948. “British East India Company” controlled almost all commerce until 1858, when control passed to the “British Raj”. 1947 - Independence and Partition – British freed and divided region into India (mostly Hindu) and Pakistan (mostly Muslim). Influenced heavily by Mahatma Gandhi. Modern Era – Wars between India and Pakistan. Growing economic power of India, and Pakistan’s crisis with Islamic radicals and Taliban.

25. Caste System Ancient origins, predating Hinduism. Divided South Asian people into different jobs and ranks in society. No mobility between castes – born into caste Very complex, thousands of smaller groups. Abolished in 1947 Mostly broken down in the cities, still common in rural India

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28. The Indus River Valley: Cultural Hearth of South Asia Where culture emerged and developed • Arts and trade routes emerged from isolated tribes and villages to towns and beyond. • Hinduismemerged from beliefs and practices brought to India by the Indo-Europeans (Aryans). (6th century BCE) • Buddhism emerged during the 6th century BCE; made the state religion of India in 3rd century BCE • Islam swept through central India from the 8th -10th centuries AD

29. Hinduism Who: Ancient priests of India When: 5000 –3000 BCE Where:India Holy Books:Vedas, Bhagavad-Gita Major Divisions: Basic Beliefs Polytheistic– Thousands of deities, many interconnected. Reincarnation through infinite lives and forms Dharma– proper place or role in the universe and society (caste) Karma– cause and effect occurring across lives. Ultimate goal – oneness with “Brahman” (God, Reality) Simple, really… follow your DHARMA to improve your KARMA so that you reincarnate in a better position to reach BRAHMAN.

30. Buddhism Who: Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) When: 500 BC Where:Northern India Holy Books: Tripitaka Major Divisions: Mahayana, Theravada Basic Beliefs No universal creator, only powerful beings. Reincarnation, dharma, and karma still apply. Four Noble Truths: Life is suffering, suffering caused by craving, craving caused by ignorance, ignorance relieved by knowing the Truth. The Eightfold Pathallows you to attain Nirvana – freedom from existence and suffering

32. Islam Who: Muhammad When:circa 620 CE Where: Arabian Peninsula Holy Books: Quran and the Hadith Major Divisions:Sunni, Shia Basic Beliefs There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of God Quran is word of God. Muslims must perform the “Five Pillars of Faith”. Ramadan – Holy month of fasting

33. Sikhism Who:Guru Nanak When: 1400’s Where: NorthwesternIndia Holy Books: AdiGranth Basic Beliefs Monotheistic, believe in reincarnation. All people are equal in God’s eyes. Humans must free themselves from negative thoughts and actions to attain salvation and become one with God. Teachings are passed down through teachers or Gurus Bound by the Five K’s kēsuncut hair, kaṅghāsmall wooden comb, kaṛācircular steel or iron bracelet, kirpānsword/dagger, and kacchāspecial undergarment.

34. Jainism Who: Indus Valley priests When: 900’s BCE Where: India Holy Books: None Major Divisions: Whiteclad and Naked Basic Beliefs: No divine being, universe is cyclical Reincarnation is eternal Goal is to perfect your soul and become an enlightened being Jains believe in AHIMSA, total non-violence against all living things Monks take many vows and give up nearly everything…. Even clothes, in some cases.

35. 5) Regions: Nations of South Asia India Nepal Sri Lanka Pakistan Bhutan Bangladesh Afghanistan Maldives

36. India • Has one of the fastest growing economies in the world. • ¾ of all South Asia’s land area; slightly more than a third of the U.S. • A federal republic consisting of 28 states, 6 Union Territories, and 1 National Capital Territory • Population: 1.150 billion people • 15 official languages. English and Hindi most common. • About 80% Hindu, 20% Muslim • Emerging economic and regional military power, with advanced industrial and scientific capacity.

37. Mahatma Gandhi Father of modern India (1869-1948) Preached non-violence, civil disobedience. Salt March – 1930, walked to sea to protest British salt tax. After WWII, Gandhi pushes for independence for India

38. Trauma of Partition • Gandhi wanted one unified India. • The British Partition - split into HinduIndia and Muslim Pakistan in 1947 • Riots, refugees, violence – 14 million people moved, ½ million died • 1948 Gandhi assassinated by Hindu extremist (intolerant of other religions).

39. India in Transition • India divided – modern caste system. New wealth, huge poverty at same time. • Bollywood – Indian film industry, largest in world! • Booming population– bigger than China soon. 1.1 billion people. • High tech industries power the economy. • Huge, overcrowded cities

40. Pakistan • Twice the size of California • A federal republic with 4 provinces, one territory, and 1 capital territory • Population: 173 million people • Languages: Urdu and English, however 48% speak Punjabi • Formerly known as West Pakistan. Independent since 1947. • Primarily Sunni Muslim • Continuing struggles with internal ethnic groups, India, Afghanistan

41. Crisis in Pakistan • Pakistan has internal divisions, an unstable government, an expanding young population, and troubles with Islamic Fundamentalists. • Tied into the current war in Afghanistan(USA/NATO vs. Al Qaeda/Taliban), which resulted from the 9/11 terrorist attacks. • Pakistan is violently divided between those supporting the USA’s efforts, and those supporting the Taliban. • Pakistan has 20 to 50 nuclear weapons. These could fall into the wrong hands if Pakistan collapses.

42. Conflict Between India and Pakistan • Jammu and Kashmir– Was mostly Muslim, but had a Hindu ruler. After partition, military of both sides moved on the region and war broke out. • After war, Kashmirstayed part of India. Sore spot for Pakistan and India, constant guerrilla war. • Several wars, including 1971 war that created Bangladesh. • Both countries now have nuclear weapons.

43. Afghanistan • About the size of Texas • Population – 30,000,000 • Mostly Pashtuns, who are Muslims. • Extremely poor, mountainous country • Leading exporter of opium and heroin. • US invaded in 2001 after 9/11, to defeat Taliban. Taliban were funded partly by Pakistan, which is also helping to fight Taliban.

44. Bangladesh • Slightly smaller than Iowa • Low elevation and location make almost half of land surface prone to flooding during monsoons. • Parliamentary democracy • Population: 154 million people • Languages: Bangla (Bengali) and English • Formerly known as East Pakistan. Independent since 1971. • Primarily Muslim • Cultivation of rice is the single most important agricultural activity. • One of world’s poorest nations.

45. Nepal • Size of Arkansas • A parliamentary democracy, but was a monarchy until 2005 • Population: 30 million people • Languages: Primarily Nepali • Hindu with approximately 10% Buddhist • Tourism on Mt. Everest • Home of the Gurkhasoldiersfamed for bravery and the Kukri knife.

46. Bhutan • ½ the size of Indiana • Constitutional monarchy: King Wangchuck • Population: 700,000 • Official language: Dzongkha (pronounced “zonka”) • Bhutan is still relatively isolated • Almost entirely Buddhist

47. Sri Lanka • Slightly larger than West Virginia • Republic with 8 provinces • Population: 21 million people • Languages: Sinhala (80%) and Tamil (20%) • Primarily Buddhist (70%) • Civil War (1983-2009) between Buddhist Sinhalese majority government in south, and Hindu Tamil minority (“Tamil Tigers”) in north.

48. Maldives • Small archipelago, 26 separate atolls. • Population - 300,000 • Most of nation is less than 5ft above sea level, highest point only 8ft. • Islamic, run on sharia law. • Economy based on fishing and tourism • Heavily involved with UN global warming treaties and conferences.